Flying Legends Airshow 2004, IWM Duxford
The 60th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings was the central theme to the 2004 Edition of Flying Legends at IWM Duxford. Once again the Fighter Collection had put together the most incredible international cast of historic piston-engined aircraft for the event.
All photography by Paul Johnson/Flightline UK.
The 2004 Flying Legends saw the UK debut of the Polikarpov I-15bis from Russia. The stubby little fighter enthralled everyone with its punchy display routine. Also making it first public appearance was the Fighter Collection’s Bell P-39Q Airacobra “Brooklyn Bum II”. It made just a handful of flights over the weekend and didn’t display, but it was a very welcome sight for enthusiasts.
However it was two classic prop-liners that really caught the eye. French aviation journalist and respected airshow commentator Bernard Chabbert brought his stunning polished Lockheed 12 Electra Junior to the show. It’s crew were seen frantically polishing the aircraft further after it’s arrival at Duxford to remove the remnants of a bug storm they encountered en-route. However, the show stopper had to be the Lockheed C-121C Super Constellation of the Swiss Constellation Flyers Association. It’s fire breathing take-off and all round elegance simply couldn’t be ignored.
